Summary
- The pattern maker is the one who brings the stylist’s ideas to life;
- The pattern maker is the professional responsible for a large part of the planning and execution of the prototype;
- Experience managing your collection for free with Audaces360 multisolution!
In clothing manufacturing, specialization is essential for smooth progress and unforeseen-free work. Among the most fundamental stages of this process, the pattern maker is one of the most prominent clothing pieces.
After all, this type of professional is responsible for a large part of the planning and execution of the prototype, always keeping track of the development and alignment with the stylist’s concepts.
If you want to know about the pattern maker’s role, the differences from other functions in manufacturing, how much they earn, and how to develop in the profession, follow us.
Enjoy your reading!
Sumário
Why is the pattern maker so important for clothing manufacturing?
The pattern maker is responsible for transforming the fashion design project into precise patterns that will serve as the basis for the large-scale production of clothing and other apparel items.
Learn the reasons why the pattern maker is crucial for clothing manufacturing:
Translation of design into precise patterns
The pattern maker transforms design drawings and concepts into precise three-dimensional patterns representing how the garment will be cut and sewn.
These patterns are essential to ensure that the garment has the desired fit, style, and proportions.
Fit and comfort
The pattern maker is responsible for ensuring the clothes properly fit and are comfortable to wear. They consider factors such as the ergonomics of the human body, movement, and comfort preferences when creating the patterns.
Cost reduction
Well-crafted and precise patterns help reduce long-term production costs by minimizing rework, adjustments, and errors during the manufacturing of the garments.
Production standardization
The pattern maker establishes consistent standards to ensure that all clothing pieces in a collection have the same fit and style, maintaining the brand’s integrity and meeting customer expectations.
Learn more: Check out 8 advantages of the clothing measurements chart for the fashion business
What does a clothing pattern maker do?
They are technical translators of the stylist’s ideas, who conceive an innovative project and need the pattern maker to work on multiple fronts to make it executable.
Therefore, the pattern maker takes care of pattern development, finding the suitable fabric for the model, and serves as the reference point for producing the prototype.
Creation is not the pattern maker’s DNA, but they guide the entire process in conjunction with the stylist. Hence, it’s worth understanding the difference between them to decide on the best professional path for your career.
What are the differences between a pattern maker and a stylist?
Starting with the stylist. In general, this type of professional is characterized as follows:
- Operates in the creative field. Develops collections, prints, and accessories.
- Deals with creation, drawing, and development of the garments — always keeping an eye on fashion trends and the brand’s profile and target audience.
- Has a varied set of skills and characteristics, such as creativity, entrepreneurship, familiarity with technological trends, cultural repertoire, and management.
The pattern maker, on the other hand, works directly with the stylist to turn their creations into reality.
Therefore, this type of professional is responsible for shaping the creation and questioning all issues adverse to the success of the undertaking, such as ergonomics, fabric drape, and the garment’s wearability.
Their knowledge of the fashion industry should also be valued since a broad repertoire is important to identify the best possibilities to optimize the stylist’s ideas.
Thus, the pattern maker is the reference point for the materialization of fashion products.
Learn more: Explore the role and benefits of a virtual fashion designer
And what is the difference between a pattern maker and a seamstress?
As we saw, the role of the pattern maker is to materialize the stylist’s ideas within the principles of wearability, meaning that they combine the artistic potential of creation with the usability of the final product.
The result of this is the prototype, which involves cutting and sewing of the clothing pieces, can generate doubts about the differences between the pattern maker’s and the seamstress’s roles.
Sewing is a skill that can be present in various sectors of manufacturing, but essentially, the seamstress is the person responsible for making the garments according to the patterns and guidelines present in the technical sheets of the garments, created by the pattern maker.
In other words, the difference between the two jobs lies in the stage of operation: the pattern maker works in the technical stage, which makes the pieces directed to manufacturing come to life through sewing work.
How much does a professional pattern maker earn?
According to the Salary website (a national job portal), salaries for the position of pattern maker are influenced by the size of the company and the level of experience.
In the United States, they can start their journey with $62,286 and may earn up to $78,376. The average salary is $70,400.
What does it take to be a good pattern maker?
As they guide the planning and execution of a piece, these professionals must follow and even anticipate market trends to promote continuous improvements in the work process.
Other points that make up the routine of a standout professional in the sector:
- Extensive knowledge of fabrics and the best fit for each one.
- Skills in geometry and mathematics — both in the use of rulers and scales and planning patterns for piece manufacturing.
- Creativity to explore new ideas within the scope of work.
- Skill with cutting and sewing. Thus, the professional can translate, better than anyone else, their ideas and concepts into the realization of the work.
To improve in the field, therefore, the pattern maker must go beyond specific graduation for the profession — like a fashion college.
To help, we have gathered some interesting tips for this continuous qualification and technical and professional improvement!
1) Take a pattern-making course
Specialization courses position the professional immediately, keeping up with what is happening in the sector, and pointing out some references for the future.
Not to mention the monitoring by expert teachers, which also ensures continuous improvements in the skills and techniques of their students.
And of course, we cannot fail to mention the increasingly popular online courses.
Learn more: 6 types of pattern making courses to enhance your skills in the fashion industry
2) Follow the market’s growth
Do you know where the pattern maker market is growing? Do you understand what the current technologies are and who the major market references are?
Believe it or not, all of this makes a difference when seeking inspiration and pointing out improvements in your company’s workflow.
3) Read books and exercise the mind
As we highlighted, the work of a pattern maker involves as much creativity as the stylist uses for their concepts.
Therefore, exercise the mind with books — and not just those focused on your professional field. See everything, read everything, and absorb ideas, experiences, and methods that can be replicated in your corporate daily life.
4) Always challenge yourself
A good pattern maker is continually dissatisfied. In general, it is not recommended for the professional to remain stuck in basic patterns and common clothing pieces.
By continuously challenging yourself, you grow as an industry expert, learn to work under adverse conditions, sew with ease, and deal with the most complicated patterns simply and harmoniously.
Therefore, this sense of restlessness and challenge should guide your work.
Reinvent ways to do the basics of your job daily, discuss new possibilities and strategies with colleagues, and learn to perform all activities, even minimally, that encompass your work.
5) Build a good network
Finally, learning to nurture your network in your sector is essential. Attend events focused on the pattern maker market, and fashion in general, and connect with professionals in the same field.
Take the opportunity to interact, whether in person or on social media, with them. Expose your ideas and ask for their opinions.
All this only helps strengthen and enrich your knowledge. Every day can be a good learning day, and it can come in any form.
The pattern maker who pays attention to this has a much greater chance of developing into one of the market’s great references.
Be a pattern maker prepared for Industry 5.0
For the creation of your patterns, nothing better than having the help of technology. Get to know some Audaces software that can assist in the creation journey, along with an excellent plan for pattern makers.
Audaces Pattern
For pattern makers striving for excellence, Audaces Pattern is an essential tool. Here, pattern creation reaches a new level of efficiency and precision.
With a dynamic and versatile approach, it is possible to develop high-quality patterns, regardless of complexity, directly starting on the computer.
Every detail is refined to perfection, ensuring that your creative vision translates impeccably into patterns.
With Audaces Pattern, you have the confidence that quality and precision are always at the forefront, becoming an indispensable ally in the pattern maker’s journey towards success in the fashion industry.
Audaces 3D
Audaces 3D is the essential software for pattern makers looking to bring their creations to life in a three-dimensional mannequin.
With an impressive range of tools and possibilities, this software revolutionizes the creative process, eliminating the need to create patterns on paper.
Imagine shaping your ideas directly in a digital environment, gaining agility and quality in deliveries.
Audaces 3D not only streamlines the process but also enhances the accuracy and quality of models, allowing you to stand out as a true fashion professional.
If you want to work or already work as a pattern maker and want to understand how digital pattern making works in the Audaces system, your time has come!
Download the e-book for free and learn everything about Audaces Pattern:
FAQ
The pattern maker is responsible for transforming the fashion design project into precise patterns that will serve as the basis for the large-scale production of clothing and other apparel items.
It is a technical translator of the stylist’s ideas, who conceives an innovative project and needs the pattern maker to work on multiple fronts to make it executable.
As they guide the planning and execution of garments, these professionals must follow and even anticipate market trends to promote continuous improvements in the work process.
